How to pay your fees

Do you accept payment over the web?

At present we can only accept web based payments from students enrolling online. This system allows you to pay in full with a credit/debit card or to set up/amend direct debit instructions. The University will levy a charge of 1.5% on all payments made by credit card but does not charge any additional fees for payments made by debit card.

What payment terms are offered?

Tuition fees are payable in full at enrolment but the University is aware of the financial burden that may arise from the payment of tuition fees so will permit students to pay in two equal instalments.

Payment arrangements for Taught Postgraduate students do differ slightly from Research Postgraduates. The main reason is that Taught Postgraduate Programmes broadly follow the structure of the Undergraduate academic year whereas Research students enrol on a rolling 12 month cycle.

Please be aware that any scholarships or bursaries you may have been awarded do not count towards payment of your first instalment. As an example if your fees are £5,500 and you've been awarded a scholarship of £1,000 then you would be left with 2 instalments of £2,250 (£5,500 - £1,000 = £4,500 divided by 2).

If you choose to take up the instalment option you will be asked to submit a valid direct debit mandate at or before enrolment. We will then make arrangements to collect the fees in two instalments on the following dates depending on your course type and course start date:-

Course Type

Start Date

1st Instalment

2nd Instalment

PG Taught

September 2015

12/11/2015

12/02/2016

PG Research

April 2015

09/07/2015

12/11/2015

PG Research

July 2015

12/11/2015

06/04/2016

PG Research

October 2015

12/11/2015

06/04/2016

PG Research

January 2016

06/04/2016

08/07/2016

PG Research

April 2016

08/07/2016

11/11/2016

PG Research

July 2016

11/11/2016

05/04/2017

We will advise you in advance of the exact payment dates. We will only accept instalments by direct debit.

Please ensure that your bank account permits payments by direct debit before you complete the mandate. We can only accept direct debit mandates that bear the signature(s) of the account holder(s).

Can I pay the full fee "up front"?

Yes. Payment in full can be made at or prior to enrolment.

If you wish to pay by cheque please make out your cheque to Swansea University and write your student reference number on the back. Cheques should be sent to Swansea University, Finance Department, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP.

You can also pay by debit/credit card* by telephoning +44 (0) 1792 295523, 295001 or 295684. If you decide to pay over the telephone please be aware that you will be unable to do so during the week of enrolment (Monday 22nd September - Thursday 25th September 2014). This is because all staff will be on duty at the enrolment venue. If you opt to pay in full before enrolling online, please allow 5 working days before using the online enrolment system. The payment is unlikely to have been credited to your account before that time. You can also pay in full by debit/credit* card as part of online enrolment.

* A charge of 1.5% will be levied on all credit card payments.

Do you offer any payment discount?

If the personal fee that you are required to pay directly to the University exceeds £8,000 and payment of that fee is made within the first two weeks of your official course start date then you are entitled to receive a discount of 2%. Discount is only made available to students who pay fees personally (it is not available to corporate sponsors).

Will I receive advance notice of the date on which tuition fee instalments are due to be made?

Yes, after enrolment you will receive a statement of account via your student e mail account in advance of the next instalment. This will clearly set out how much you are due to pay, how much you have paid, the date on which the payment is due and method of payment applicable in your case. Please be aware that we limit our communication with students to that sent to their student e mail accounts. Under University Regulations all enrolled students are expected to access their studente-mail accounts on a regular basis.

Can I pay in cash?

For your own personal security you are advised not to pay fees in cash. The aim in offering a number of payment methods is to avoid the need for you to carry large amounts of cash.

Please note: Cash will not be accepted during the enrolment period.

What if I am sponsored?

Some students receive fee support from external sources such as companies, charities, trust funds, and governments etc. If this is the case the University requires documentary evidence of the award. This evidence must be presented at or before enrolment and should make specific reference to the amount of fee contribution awarded and the Academic Year(s) it covers. You should ask your sponsor to complete a Confirmation of Sponsorship Form which can be printed from the following link

Students claiming to be in receipt of sponsorship will not be permitted to enrol without appropriate documentation. Sponsors are expected to pay invoices within 30 days. The University will continue to recognise an organisation as a legitimate sponsor only if payments are received promptly. We do not class parents/family as sponsors for the purposes of this definition and reserve the right to reject sponsorship credentials in certain circumstances.

What if my sponsor fails to pay?

This is very unusual but in the event that a sponsor fails to pay all or part of any fee due then you will be held personally responsible for any outstanding amount.

Penalty Charges

To offset the additional administrative cost of processing unpaid direct debit claims and dishonoured cheques the University will levy a charge of £25 for each unpaid item.

Who can discuss my tuition feesituation?

Data Protection Legislation means that we can only discuss your personal tuition fee situation with you unless we have received your written permission to deal with a person nominated by yourself. These restrictions also apply if your parents are paying your fees.

What happens if I find paying my fees difficult?

Whilst we offer what we believe to be a fair system for paying fees in instalments we do expect payments to be made on the nominated due dates. If you find yourself in financial difficulties you are strongly advised to contact the Money Advice and Support Office within the Student Services Department who may be able to help with Hardship Funds and advice.

The worst case scenario for non- payment of fees is that under University Regulations you may be required to suspend your studies and re-enrol for the next Academic Year (once all outstanding fees have been paid). It is therefore important not to ignore any correspondence you may receive from the Finance Department.

Who can I talk to about payment of tuition fees?

You should contact the Income Section which is located on the ground floor of the Finance Building. You can telephone 01792 295436/295523, fax 01792 295771 or e-mail income@swansea.ac.uk.

Outstanding fees

If you owe money from any previous period of study at this University you may not be allowed to re-enrol until the debt has been paid in full.

Note, if your debt is only related to outstanding accommodation fees you will be able to enrol, once you have discussed the matter with a member of staff from Residential Services.

Please contact:

Student Finance if you're unsure of the correct Tuition Fee you are to be charged